Glaucoma decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the etiology of his right ear hearing loss.

The Board found that the cause of death, septic shock due to positive blood culture for staphylococcus, was not causally or etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially or materially contribute to the cause of his death.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for labyrinthitis, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, bilateral glaucoma and cataracts (claimed as eye disorder), type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypertension and erectile dysfunction (ED), and coronary artery disease (CAD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed glaucoma is related to military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral eye disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination. The case will be referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Board denied service connection for a left eye disability, finding that the Veteran's condition was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service and is not etiologically related to any incident of service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause his death. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's blindness, gunshot wound scar on the left leg, and scars of the face and forehead did not contribute to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for a more thorough examination of the Veteran's eyes to determine the nature and etiology of any eye disability, including whether it is related to service exposure or superimposed disease/injury.

The Board has granted service connection for glaucoma secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II. The Veteran's other eye disabilities (epiretinal membrane/lamellar hole OS, choroidal nevus OS, cataracts OU, nonexudative macular degeneration OU, and refractive error with presbyopia OU) are not service connected as they were not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for his eye disability, including glaucoma and cataracts, which he claims are related to his service-connected hypertension. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's eye disability and his service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's glaucoma is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current eye disorders, including bilateral cataracts and glaucoma suspect in both eyes, are more likely due to natural aging and diabetes than to a reported in-service injury involving acid from tank batteries. The Veteran's myopia at entry into service is considered a congenital defect.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an eye disability, hypertension, and ear infections. New evidence supports these claims.,However, obesity is not considered a compensable condition under VA guidelines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current glaucoma disability is not related to service or secondary to his service-connected hypertension and coronary artery disease. The claim for service connection for glaucoma, including as secondary to these conditions, is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including contacting the Massachusetts Army National Guard to obtain his medical and personnel records. Service connection will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Board has determined that the retained foreign body in the Veteran's right eye is at least as likely as not incurred during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of secondary service connection for end-stage glaucoma and legal blindness due to the retained foreign body remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's glaucoma is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.